DES MOINES, IA – Jacinto Loza Gil, a/k/a Sergio Alfaro Rojas, 46, of Urbandale, Iowa, is headed for a long stretch behind bars. U.S. District Court Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger slammed Loza Gil with a 292-month prison sentence on June 7, 2017, for his role in a methamphetamine distribution network and for illegally returning to the United States after deportation.
The sentence is the culmination of a case brought by United States Attorney Kevin E. VanderSchel. Loza Gil pleaded guilty in February 2017 to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and illegal reentry. He admitted to peddling meth between June and September of 2016, brazenly continuing his criminal activity even after being deported in March 2014. This wasn’t a small-time operation; investigators documented numerous controlled purchases of methamphetamine made directly from Loza Gil and those under his command.
The investigation, a multi-agency effort spearheaded by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, revealed the scope of Loza Gil’s operation. A September 2016 raid on his Urbandale residence turned up a significant haul: approximately five pounds of pure methamphetamine. That’s enough poison to wreck countless lives, and the judge clearly didn’t take that lightly.
Federal prosecutors detailed how Loza Gil acted as a central figure in the drug conspiracy, directing others in the distribution of the highly addictive substance. His previous deportation clearly didn’t deter him, demonstrating a callous disregard for the law and a commitment to profiting from the misery of others. The 242 months for the meth charge and 50 months for illegal reentry add up to a substantial punishment – a message sent that such behavior will not be tolerated.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa successfully prosecuted the case, highlighting the ongoing federal commitment to dismantling drug trafficking organizations operating within the state. The investigation also benefited from assistance from a variety of other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, showcasing the importance of interagency cooperation in combating crime.
For those seeking further information regarding this case, Rachel J. Scherle can be reached at 515-473-9300 or via email at Rachel.Scherle@usdoj.gov. This case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of methamphetamine and the serious consequences faced by those who choose to traffic in it. Loza Gil will have plenty of time to reflect on his choices – for the next 24 years and beyond.
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Key Facts
- State: Iowa
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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